Teva Zilches - Review

I got my Zilches. I had to send them back once because they were too big, but it was worth it. They're pretty nice. I've received numerous compliments. They're very comfortable, though they rub a bit under the front strap near the big toe when I'm walking. I'm still working on building a callous. It's fine when I run though. The toe loop, on the other hand, is very comfortable. All in all, I'm satisfied.

Teva Zilch

I haven't run in a while, I confess. I'm still learning time management. Anyway, my feet have become so used to thin zero-drop soles because I've been wearing my neo trails every day, but now it's too hot for them. I used too love my Chacos, but now they make my feet hurt, and I found a pair of Teva Zilches online for half off, so I ordered them. I'm a big fan of Chaco's conservative look as opposed to the Zilch's high-tech look, but the minimalist sandal wins out. They're supposed to come tomorrow, and I'm stoked.

Still Kicking

My runs are getting better and better. My mother recently told me my stride was beautiful, which meant alot because I used to be very self-conscious about my form. I feel less and less sensitivity in my soles every time I run. I used to run on the sidewalk and tar lines whenever possible to relieve my feet, but now I prefer the rough road and hardly touch the sidewalk. I feel like my form is better on the rough road and my feet slip a little on the sidewalk, creating more friction.

I haven't been increasing my distance by any more than 10% a week in order to avoid any injuries. However, the other day, I had alot on my mind and I was really enjoying my run, so I kept going and increased by 50% instead. The total distance was 4.5 miles. Before that, my longest was only 3.

Things are going well.

Good Progress

In my last post, I mentioned that the weather took a short warm turn. When it snowed, I thought the warmth was gone for good. However, the warmth came right back. It would periodically dip down a little, but it always came back up shortly. Lately it's been around 80 degrees and I have a sunburn, if that tells you anything.

Anyway, as soon as it warmed up again, I was outside again. I ran often, fearing that one day the weather would disappear. It took me a few weeks to get back to the distance I was running in early december, especially since I was in aqua lites back then and had to start fresh on my pads. Plus, even back when I was running barefoot, I was on a smooth track. Now that I'm home, I have to run on rough roads because I'm on the outskirts of town.

Because of the rough roads, I've been forced to improve my form. It's been really fun experimenting with my form. I've made alot of progress. There were some things I still wasn't clear on back in december that I have pretty much figured out now. Plus, my pads are really coming along. I've been through a similar process with my fingertips from playing the ukulele. I observed at the beginning that there was sort of a cocoon period where the skin really hardens up. I thought it would always be that way, but after a while, that hard skin left and was replaced by soft skin again, only with a little cushion under it. My feet have been in the cocoon period for a while, but now they're finally coming out. The rough roads are hardly a problem at all now. However, there's a chip and seal road nearby that I haven't tried yet. I imagine that will be a challenge.

Anyway, things are going well. I'm running farther and easier than I ever have, and I almost always enjoy my runs.

Holidays

I've only run a few times since I came home for the holidays. I ran two miles when I first returned, but then my brother came into town for a week, so I didn't run then, and during that week, I picked up a cold, which I still have.

However, five days ago, it was really warm and I was feeling a little better, so I decided to go for a short run. I ran about three-hundred yards before stopping. It felt like there was a weight on my chest, so I figured I should've waited for my cold to heal completely. Then I noticed how hot and itchy my feet were in my aqua lites, and I don't know what possessed me, but I forgot how tired I was and decided to take them off and run barefoot.

Honestly, it was the most I'd enjoyed a run in a long time. I realized how much I'd missed running totally barefoot. It's so much more enjoyable. Anyway, since I was still recovering from my cold and since it was my first barefoot run in a couple months, I only ran a mile. But when I got home, I was energized. I felt like running another mile. Plus, I had no blisters or anything.

That got me really excited and I bought Barefoot Ken Bob's book: Barefoot Running Step by Step. It's interesting hearing different points of view on the same topic. He, Jason Robillard, and Michael Sandler all agree and disagree on various points. I think Ken Bob would think Michael Sandler's form is terrible. To Ken Bob, bending your knees is the number-one most important rule, but Michael Sandler hardly bends them at all. It actually looks really funny.

Anyway, I was excited to apply some new things I learned from Barefoot Ken Bob, but when I woke up in the morning ready to run, it was raining. I was bummed. However, I decided I was going to run barefoot anyway, since I'd never done it in the rain before. Honestly, it was fun. I enjoyed apply what I learned, but I didn't go as far as I hoped because my pads started to sting a little. No surprise since it was my first run in the rain. Surprisingly, I didn't have a single blister. I expected to have at least a few small ones on my toes.

After that, I decided I would never let rain stop me. However, the next time I woke up ready to run, it was snowing. This time, I let it stop me. I haven't run since. We were having such a nice warm streak, and just as I was starting to run again, it ended. Oh well.

Since I still have a cold, I'm going to wait until it's gone before running in this weather. It's freezing out there.

Fartlek Run

I did a fartlek run this morning. Once again, I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. Jason Robillard says that if you're new to running, then it will be slow, and it should approach or surpass our 5k speed. What does that mean? My fartlek runs consist of short sprints separated by brief walks to cool down. I should look into it to make sure I'm doing it right.

Anyway, it was a good run. I like fast runs. I feel more in control for some weird reason. There were alot of people at the track, so I felt self-conscious, but that's okay. I just ignored it and did my thing.

13 Laps

It may have been twelve laps. I think it was thirteen, but lap three may have been only two. I was only going to run twelve laps, but to make sure I didn't cheat, I slapped on an extra lap at the end, making it thirteen. I'm training myself to persevere. I used to be one to take the easy way out, but not anymore. However, I'm pretty sure I didn't miscount.

My form is becoming more relaxed, which is good. I was very aware of my breathing and posture. I'm slowly learning what good posture feels like. I feel like form becomes easier with speed. On lap thirteen, I sped up to almost a sprint. I feel more control at a sprint. I hardly bounce, I breathe fine, and I just feel good. Plus, the fact that I can run farther than I've ever run in my life, feel worn out, and finish it off with a sprint, says either my distance-running form needs work or that there's just something about sprinting that feels good.

There was no soreness or anything. I felt sort of tired early on, but once again, I felt about the same the whole way through. I wasn't dead at the end.

I read a couple review of the upcoming New Balance Minimus Zero Trail and Road shoes. They were positive. I'm glad that more companies are releasing legitimate minimalist shoes. I like to think that as more and more come out and more and more people are buying them, the price will go down.

My aqua lites are plenty for me, though.